Variable-speed transmission



Dec. 18, 1951 A. G. BADE VARIABLE SPEED TRANSMISSION 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed May 28, 1945 FIG. 2

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 18, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE VARIABLE-SPEED TRANSMISSION Alfred G. Bade, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to The'Falk Corporatiom'Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application May 28, 1945, Serial No. 596,353

7'Claims. 1

This: inventionrelates to variable speed transmissions of the planet roller type.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 471,116, filed January 2, 1943, Whichhas been abandoned in favor of the present application.

An improvedtransmission of this type is disclosedinmy Patent No. 2,328,536, in which the planet rollers are frictionally engaged with a driven ring anda non-rotating control ring, the latterbeing adjustable to regulate the speed ratio of the transmission. I

In the transmission therein shown contact pressures between-the rollers and both rings are relied upon to develop sufiicient traction to sustain the torque reactions therebetvveen, the rollers being urged against both rings andthe'contact pressures between them and one ring being dependent: upon and a function of the contact pressures between them and the other ring. Such an arrangement hasmany advantages but, as therein shown, if the contact pressures against one ring are of suilicient magnitude to sustain the torque reactions between the rollers and that ring, the contact pressures against the other ring may be either too low to sustain the torque reactions thereon or unnecessarily high. These conditionsunduly limit the capacity of the transmission.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved variable speed transmissionof the character mentioned which shall be free of the objections above noted.

Other more specific objects and advantages will appear, expressed or implied, from the following description-oi an illustration embodiment of the present invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1. is a longitudinal sectional view of'a variable speed transmission constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is afragmentary transverse section.

Fig. 3.is' a sectional view taken substantially along theline 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig.4 is a planview of the speed regulating block shown in Fig. 3 equipped with a modified form of cam slot.

The variable speed transmission selected for illustration:is-shown enclosed in an appropriate housing Iii-closed at one end by a head I I, bolted or otherwise removably attached thereto, and at the; other end by a removable disk 12 having an inwardly/projecting hollow hub 13 formed integral therewith.

The huh I 3' provides partial support for a. Y

driven shaft [4 journalled in a suitable bearing 15 seated in the hub. The driven shaft I4 is additionally supported by-a bearing It carried bya' spider ll-formed in the housing. The driven shaft [4 is fixed against lengthwise displacement by the bearing l6 which in this instanceispositionedby a suitableiretainer ring I8 seated there?- on and engaging the spider H andalsoby the adjacent abutting end of the hub 13. A drum [9, formed integral With the driven shaft I for rotation therewith, constitutes a rotary carrier for parts hereinafter described.

The transmission shownalso includes a rotary cage 2c supportedat one end by anintegral'sliaft 2|, constituting a-drive shaft, whichis journalled in a bearing 22 seated in an axially movable bushing 23 closely fitted-within the central hub 24 ofa disk 25 removably fixed within one end of the housing It. The opposite end'of the'cage 2lliissupported by a stub shaft 26 having. an outer end zl'journalle'd in a bearing 28'slidably seated in' a cavity. ZB'formed-in the hub 30' of the drum [9.

Thecage 2d and its drive shaft 2| are thus mounted for rotation about an axis coincident with the axis of the driven shaft I 4 and also lengthwise movablealong said axis. l- 'orapur pose which will laterappear'the cage 29 is urged lengthwise in one direction by. appropriate means,-

which in this instance includes a pluralityof compression springs 3i interposed between the disk25 and a flange 23 on'the bushing 23;

A plurality of planet rollers 32, preferably three in number, are arranged to rotate with'the cage 2D-and also to rotate about their respective axes a which are similarly inclined in such direction as to intersect: the axis of rotation of'the'cage at a single or: commonxpoint. In this instance each roller 32 is constrained to rotate with the cage'2ll by means of anti-frictionbearings 33 at the opposite ends of each roller, each bearing being closely guided-by and betweentheopposed' side walls 34' of a radial slot formed in an end head 35 of the cage 20; each'roller being thereby retained in such position that its axis a 'lies Within a radial plane of the cage.

Each roller 32 is fulcrumed intermediate its ends by appropriate means such as a ring 35 rotatably' mounted upon the inner end-310i the stub shaft 26 and in rolling contact with. an'

intermediate cylindrical section 380i the roller. Each roller is provided adjacentone end with a tapered section39 in rollingengagement with a ring, 40 and adjacent'its other end with an axially extended tapered section 4| in rolling engagement with a ring 42, the angle of the taper of each of sections 39 and 4| being equal to the angle of inclination of the roller axis and in such direction that the outer extremities of each are parallel to the axis of rotation of the cage 20.

The rings 45 and 42 encircle the group of rollers and the latter are preferably so proportioned that their centers of gravity are disposed between the points of contact thereof with the rings 40 and 42, so that as they rotate with the cage 20 they are centrifugally urged against both of said rings. The rings 40 and 42 thus coact with the tapered sections 39 and 4|, respectively, to determine the inclinati-on of the rollers relative to the axis of rotation of the cage.

The fulcrum ring 36 provides additional means for forcing the several rollers against the rings 44 and 42. For that purpose the ring 36 is constrained to move axially with the cage 20 so as to induce a wedge-like action against the intermediate sections 38 of the inclined rollers in a manner to force the latter outwardly as the cage is urged toward the right (Fig. 1) by the springs 3| hereinabove mentioned. The thrust, thus induced by the springs 3| may be regulated by adjustment of the nut 3| along the shaft 2|, the nut 3| serving to position the bearing 22 and bushing 23 relative to the stationary disk 25.

In the transmission shown the reaction between the ring 36 and rollers 32 produces a thrust urging the rollers lengthwise toward the right (Fig. 1) but the latter are held against lengthwise displacement by appropriate means such as a thrust sustaining ring 43 which bears against an annular stop shoulder 44 formed on each roller. The lengthwise positions of the rollers are thus accurately fixed by the thrust sustaining ring 43.

Each roller 32 carries a pinion 45 which meshes with a ring gear 46 carried by the rotary carrier or drum l9 through which each roller is connected in positive driving relation with the drum. The ring gear 46 is shown seated within the drum l9 between the rings 40 and 43, the rings and gear being removably fixed to the drum by appropriate means such as a plurality of screws one of which is shown at 41 extending through the rings.

The rings 36, 40 and 42 are preferably slightly crowned so as to reduce to a minimum the areas of contact between them and the rollers 32. That face of the ring 43 which contacts the shoulder 44 of each roller is also preferably crowned for a like purpose. The point of contact between the ring 43 and the shoulder 44 of each roller is preferably so positioned as to lie on a line b which extends through the point of contact of each roller with the ring 40 and through the mesh point of the roller pinion 45 and gear 46. This line b also extends through the point of intersection of the roller axis a with the axis of rotation of the cage 26. With the parts thus corelated the rolling action between the roller section 39 and the ring 4!) and between the pinion 45 and gear 46 are accurately coordinated in a manner to substantially eliminate sliding friction between the section 39 and ring 40, and also sliding friction between the ring 43 and shoulder 44 of each roller is reduced to a minimum.

In the transmission shown the ring 42 is supported and centered by the group of rollers 32 and is held against rotation by appropriate means such as a pin 42' fixed in the ring 42 and projecting radially therefrom through a cam slot 48 formed in an arm 49 rigidly supported by and projecting inwardly from the disk 25. The cam slot 48 is preferably straight and extends substantially paralled to the axis of rotation of the cage 20.

The pin 42 is loosely guided in the slot 48 and is movable lengthwise of the slot in a manner to shift the ring 42 along the tapered sections 4| of the rollers. It will of course be understood that with the ring 42 in the position shown in contact with each roller section 4| at a point in the line b, the rollers will planetate idly within the rings 40 and 42 and ring gear 46 without imparting rotation to the drum I9, but when the ring 42 is shifted from that position toward the broken line position of Fig. l the planetary action of the rollers will be so modified as to cause them to impart rotation to the ring 40 and ring gear 46 and thereby drive the drum [9 at a rate dependent upon the distance of the ring from the position first described.

Adjustment of the ring 42 along the roller sections 4| may be effected in various ways but the means shown for that purpose is quite satisfactory. It comprises a block 58 supported and actuated by a screw shaft 5| which extends horizontally across the housing I!) above the slotted arm 49. The shaft 5| extends through the block 54 and is in screw threaded engagement therewith. The shaft 5| is journalled at one end in a suitable bushing 52 seated in an appropriate supporting boss 53 formed at one side at the top of the housing l0, and is journalled adjacent its other end in a similar boss 54 at the other side of the housing top. A hand Wheel 55 or other suitable actuator is fixed to the last mentioned end of the shaft 5|, and a nut 56 coacts therewith to retain the shaft against lengthwise displacement.

The diameter of bushing 52 at one end of the shaft 5| is equal to the diameter of the other end of the shaft, and the bores in both supporting bosses 53 and 54 are of like diameter, so that the shaft 5| may be reversed to position the hand wheel 55 on the other side of the housing |0, Whenever it is desirable to do so.

The pin 42 projects upwardly into a diagonal cam slot 5'! formed in the horizontal bottom face of the block 56, so that as the block is shifted along the transverse shaft 5| the cam slot 51 reacts on the pin 42 to shift it along the cam slot 48 in the arm 49 and thereby shift the ring 42 along the rollers. Movement of the block 56 in one direction is limited by a stop screw 58 adjustably fixed in one side wall of the housing, and a similar stop 59 in the other wall of the housing limits movement of the block in the other direction, so that the range of movement of the ring 42 along the rollers is thus accurately limited and controlled.

The block 50 is shown disposed beneath an opening 60 in the top of the housing which is normally closed by a removable cover plate 6|, the latter coacting with the top side of the block 50 to prevent rotation thereof about the axis of the screw. The cover plate 6| also provides support for an indicator in the form of a dial 62. The dial B2 is carried by a vertical stud B3 journalled in the center of the plate El and provided at its lower end with an actuating pinion 64. The top side of the block 50 is provided with a longitudinal channel of a width to freely accommodate the pinion 64 and a rack 66 disposed within the channel 65, at one side thereof, meshes with the pinion G4 to actuate the pinion and consequently the dial 62 whenever the block 50 is actuated. A fixed pointer 51 on the plate 6| 00- operates with the dial 62. It will thus be noted that thfii. rotativeposition, of, the dial 62 corresponds at all times with thepositionof the block 50, ,andconsequently.with the position of the ring 52 along the rollers 32, and the dial may be graduated to directly indicate the rates of rotation of the driven shaft correspondingtothe various positions to which the ring 42 be shiftedby m p tion oithescreiv actuator. 55.,

It will of course be understood'that the eiTect of the: regulating shaft 511 upon the change: in output: speed of. the transmission is determined y he shape ofthe cam slots island 5.1; When these cam: slots. arestraight, as, in Fig. 3, successive revolutions of the shaft, 51. of course produce uniform,mVBm6. lts.0f= thecontrol ring 42 throughout the range ofmovement of the ring, but in the transmissionshown uniform adjustments' Off the ring 42: at: different pointsin its range of movement produce non-uniform changes in the output speed of the transmission, so that at one point in the speed range a single revolution of the regulator shaft M will produce a speed change different from that produced at another point in the speed range.

Under some conditions of use it is desirable that the relation between regulator movements and resulting speed changes be maintained uniform throughout the speed range. Although this might be accomplished by modifying the shape of either or both of the cam slots 43 and 51, the straight form of slot 48 is preferably maintained and the other slot 51 is preferably curved to effect the desired result. By using a curved slot such as indicated at in Fig. 4, successive revolutions of the regulator shaft 5| will produce uniform changes in the output speed of the transmission throughout the range of speed thereof.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention hereinabove specifically described Without departing from or sacrificing the advantages of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a variable speed transmission the combination of a plurality of inclined planet rollers revolvable about a central axis, two coaxial torque sustaining rings encircling said rollers, one of said rings being rotatable relative to the other, the center of gravity of each of said rollers being disposed between said rings so that said rollers are centrifugally urged against both of said rings in all relative positions of said rings and. rollers, said rings coacting with said rollers to maintain the inclination of said rollers relative to said axis, each of said rollers having a longitudinally extended tapered section in contact with one of said rings, and means for effecting relative adjustment between said last mentioned ring and said sections in a direction lengthwise of said sections to vary the speed ratio of the transmission, the angle of taper of said sections being equal to the inclination of said rollers whereby the inclination of said rollers is not disturbed by said relative adjustment between said last mentioned ring and sections.

2. In a variable speed transmission the combination of a plurality of inclined planet rollers revolvable about a central axis, a driven ring encircling said rollers, a control ring encircling said rollers, each of said rollers having a longi tudinally extended tapered section in contact with said control ring, the center of gravity of each of said rollers being disposed between said rings in all relativepositions of said rings and rollers so that said rollers are centrifugally urged into the other of pressureoontact with" both of said. rings, said rings coacting with said rollers-tov maintain the inclination thereof relative to said axis, means for eifect-ing relative adjustmentbetween said control and the tapered; sections of,- said rollers to vary the speed ratio of the transmission, theaangle of taper of said-tapered sections being substantially. equal tothe inclination of said rollers wherebysaidrelative adjustmentbetween said controlring and:sections .does not dice turh the inclination of'said rollers.

3;. In a variablev speed; transmission the combinationoi a. plurality of'inclinedv planet rollers revolvable about acentral axis, adriven ring encircling said, rollers, each, of-said'rollers having a section in frictional rolling engagement .with said driveniring; acontrol ring, each of said'rollers having a longitudinally extended tapered section in frictional rolling engagement with said control ring, the center of gravity of each of said rollers being disposed between said rings so that said rollers are centriiugally urged against both of said rings, a rotary carrier for said driven ring, intermeshing gears providing a positive torque transmitting relation between said rollers and said carrier, and means for effecting relative adjustment between said control ring and said tapered sections to vary the speed ratio of the transmission.

4. In a variable speed transmission the combination of a plurality of inclined planet rollers revolvable about a central axis, two torque sustaining rings encircling said rollers, each of said rollers having a section in frictional rolling en gagement with one of said ring-s and a longitudinally extended tapered section in frictional rolling engagement with the other of said rings, the center of gravity of each of said rollers being disposed between said rings so that said rollers are centrifugally urged into pressure contact with both of said rings, means for effecting relative adjustment between said tapered sections and the ring with which they contact to vary the speed ratio of the transmission, a rotary carrier for said rings and intermeshing gears providing positive driving connections between said rollers and said carrier.

5. In a variable speed transmission the combination of a plurality of inclined planet rollers revolvable about a central axis, three concentric rings coacting with said rollers to maintain the inclination of said rollers relative to said axis, means for preventing relative longitudinal displacement of saidrollers relative to one of said rings, a rotary carrier for said last mentioned ring, intermeshing gears providing torque transmitting connections between said rollers and said carrier, means for effecting relative adjustment between said rollers and another of said rings to develop pressure contacts between said rollers and rings, and means for eiiecting relative adjustment between said rollers and the third of said rings to vary the speed ratio of the transmission.

6. In a variable speed transmission the combination of a plurality of inclined planet rollers each having a longitudinally extended tapered section, a control r'ug encircling and contacting said roller sections and movable lengthwise of said rollers, a member extending lengthwise of said rollers, means on said ring coacting with said member for retaining said ring against rotation in all positions of said ring, a cam member shiftable transversely of said first named memher and operable on said last named means to shift said ring lengthwise of said roller sections,

7 and an actuator for said cam member, said cam member being shaped to maintain a constant relation between the movement of said actuator and the resultant change in output speed through the output speed range of the transmission.

'7. In a variable speed transmission the combination of a plurality of inclined planet rollers each having a longitudinally extended tapered section, a control ring encircling and contacting said roller sections and movable lengthwise thereof to vary the output speed of the transmission, means extending lengthwise of said rollers and reacting on said ring to retain the ring against rotation in all position thereof, and a separate cam member movable to vary the position of said ring, said cam member having a cam surface curved to eifect equal increments of change in output speed in response to equal increments of motion of said cam member.

ALFRED G. BADE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 966,046 Noonan Aug. 8, 1910 2,238,801 Schmitter Apr. 15, 1941 2,328,536 Bade Sept. 7, 1943 2,342,071 Bade Feb. 15, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 8,337 Great Britain Apr. 1, 1897 

